2013 Book Update

So I finished Agnes Grey  by Anne Bronte, which my brother and his reading group were reading together. I had actually put Shirley on my list to read but traded it out with Agnes Grey when I heard what they were reading. It is so much more fun to have someone to discuss books with than to read alone. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even though it was rather a slower more simple story. It was about a governess and her experiences with two different families and then her own love story which was quite sweet. I loved learning about her life with the families and found that governesses don't differ much from nannies now days, they are expected to help mold children and make them behave but are given no authority and discipline to do it with. There were a few really good quotes...

• "And not I think I have said sufficient." Is how the book ends.
• " The best way to enjoy yourself is to do what is right and hate nobody. The end of religion is not to teach us how to die, but how to life; and the earlier you become wise and good the more of happiness you secure."
• "By this time there was a carriage ready, and the footman was waiting, with an open umbrella, to escort Miss Murray through the churchyard. I was about to follow; but Mr. Weston had an umbrella too, and offered me the benefit of its shelter, for it was raining heavily. 'No, thank you, I don't mind the rain,' I said. I always lacked common sense when taken by surprise."

My brother Jonathan gave me an intersting book called Endymion Spring which is a mix of historical fiction and fantasy. It had a lot of history of Gutenburg and the printing press. I found it a good read. It also had a lot of illusions to Adam and Eve and the serpent and the knowledge of good and evil...




I also completed Desperate by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae, that book sure did minster to my soul, it was so encouraging and refreshing.

• "There is so much involved in caring for small children and keeping a home and it is so easy to get overwhelmed. Remember this season isn't going to last forever...Before each day determine to set your heart to meet your family's needs and not feel that your life is in so much chaos. God has not given us more to do than we can do, so sometimes we just need to realize limitations and determine the most essential things that really are required of a mom with young children." p. 208
• Remember to study your children. One of the biggest mistakes parents often make with older children is to treat them all the same. However they are each unique. We should strive to be a student of each of our children. p. 198
• Give in to your season of life. You will feel desperate sometimes, i know and it's scary some days. But the more you allow yourself to be fully and completely invested in the disciplining of your children, the less defeated you will feel. And don't forget to carve out some time for yourself. Everyone needs to have life giving activities or time away or they'll be burnt out. p. 171
• In the same way as we are responsible for the nurturing of our children's souls, so are we responsible for the nurturing and care of our own souls. What am I doing every day to ensure that I am walking forward with intentionality into filling my own soul with virtues of God's design for my life? p. 148

My brother Zach gave me a book last year I think called Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman and I have finally picked it up and read through it. The author had some great insights on truly following Christ and giving up all and becoming committed. He has a very fun writing style and some humorous footnotes. However, the last four chapters were so challenging and went along with some ways the Lord has been leading Joshua and I in just following Christ. Here are a few quotes I really found challenging:

• "In 1 Corinthians 15:31, Paul says: 'I die daily.' That's the hardest part of carrying your cross...it's so daily. Each morning by the grace of Jesus I am invited to take up a cross and die. That's the only way I will follow him that day."
• A letter from Adoniram Judson (missionary to Burma) to his prospective father-in-law before they were married: “I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world ? Whether you can consent to her departure to a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life? Whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death? Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall resound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?”
• "When you accept the invitation of Jesus to follow Him, you are not just saying that He is a top priority in your life; you are making him the only priority in your life. He desperately wants you, but He won't share you...what is it that is competing for your allegiance?"

Joshua and I both read this book, Disciples are Made not Born, this year, it seems to be what God is teaching us right now about discipling others. It was a very challenging and convicting book. I highly recommend it. It is very practical.



We also finished listening to a family favorite of Fellowship of the Ring, we are now on The Two Towers, it sure makes the trips we take go by faster.

So my reading list so far:

1. Power of a Praying Wife
2. Desperate by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae
3. My Life, My heart, My all MacDonald
4. Middlemarch by Eliot
5. Dombey and Son by Dickens
6. Agnes Grey by Bronte
7. Buggies and Blizzards
8. Ultimate Proof by Jason Lisle
9. Not a Fan
10. Out of the Salt Shaker
11. Tortured for Christ
12. You can Teach your Child Successfully

Have you Ever Thought: I just can't be a Mom today?

Now of course we would never vocalize the thought that some days we struggle as Mothers, right? That there are some days that we would like to nestle back down under the covers and just have one more hour of sleep. That most days we feel inadequate to parent these sweet children the Lord has blessed us with!

A couple weeks ago I was feeling bad emotionally and physically. I was feeling very overwhelmed by being a Mother of three little ones three and under, managing a home that never seems to stay clean or organized, carving out time to be able to spend with my wonderful husband, and all the projects I want to get done but never seem to have the time for. I remember just wanting to give up...don't get me wrong I love my children and husband with all my heart but I was just worn out. I stumbled upon this book called Desperate: Hope for the Weary Mom and it wasn't a book that had all the answers for being the perfect Mom or how to get everything accomplished. It was a book that breathed grace back into my life and reminded me I don't have to be the perfect Mom. It is written by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae, one who is still in the trenches of raising little ones and Sally who offers her wisdom and encouragement from already having been there.

I am still not completely finished with the book but let me tell you each chapter is brim full of encouragement and I constantly find myself saying--that's exactly where I am! It talks about how women can encourage and mentor one another in being a young mother and wife that glorifies the Lord. The chapters cover training our children, sin, depression, being lonely, etc. This is not a manual that instructs you in what to do as much as encourages you that others have been there too.  There is scripture throughout the book and both ladies take part in each chapter, Sarah writing Sally at the beginning and sharing her struggles with little ones and Sally sharing her experience and wisdom. I highly recommend the book for all mothers with little ones! Especially those that feel like they are drowning at times!

What You Will Find in Desperate

• The perspectives of an younger women going through the little years, and an older woman who has raised her children well
• QR codes and links at the end of each chapter that lead to videos with Sarah Mae and Sally talking about the chapter
• A friend who so understands those “hide me in closet” moments
• Practical steps to take during the desperate times
• Bible study and journal exercises in each chapter that will lead you to identify ways in which you can grow as a mom
• Mentoring advice for real-life situations
• Q & A section with Sally where she answers readers questions

One of the chapters on depression has an amazing checklist that I found very helpful, sometimes when I am really feeling down it takes me a while to find out what caused it or triggered it and here is a quick list to assess what is going on:

• Do I need sleep?
• Have I been reading my  Bible?
• Do I feel alone?
• Am I watching my health? (Exercise)
• How can I get help?
• What do I need to invest in the joy factor in my life?

Usually it is one of those things for me...there is so much more in the book, definitely get it and read it! This week is the launch of the book so there is a lot of giveaways and special deals so this is a good time to get it!

• Get the Kindle or print version
• There are giveaways and specials for ordering more than one there are giveaways for housecleaning and massages, a retreat with the authors and a spiritual retreat. :-)
• For the book site and more info